Brookfield Police Warn of New Scam That Involves Packages You Didn’t Order

According to a release from the Brookfield Police Department, residents should be on the lookout for a scam that starts with something seemingly harmless: a package showing up at your door that you never ordered.

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The scam, known as "brushing," has been popping up in communities across the country and continues to make appearances in our area. In many cases, the packages are sent by third-party sellers looking to create fake online orders and reviews. The idea is that if it appears an item was purchased and delivered, it can help boost a product's credibility on shopping websites.

But police say there's a more concerning side to some of these unexpected deliveries.

While many brushing scams involve inexpensive or random items, some packages have reportedly contained electronic devices that could pose a cybersecurity risk. Think USB drives, small gadgets, or other electronic accessories that recipients may be tempted to plug into a computer to see what they are.

That's where the real danger begins.

Cybersecurity experts warn that unknown devices can potentially contain malware designed to infect a computer, steal personal information, access passwords, or compromise an entire network. In other words, that mystery gadget sitting on your kitchen table could be a lot more than just a strange delivery mistake.

Brookfield Police are reminding residents to use caution whenever an unexpected package arrives. If you didn't order it, don't assume it's safe. Before opening, using, or connecting any electronic device, try to determine who sent it and why it was delivered to you.

And if a mystery USB drive or electronic gadget shows up at your home, the safest move is simple: don't plug it into anything.

We've all heard the phrase "if it seems too good to be true, it probably is." In this case, if you didn't order it and have no idea where it came from, it's probably best to leave it unplugged.

Sometimes curiosity isn't worth the risk.